Earning A's: Faculty and staff activities, accomplishments, & accolades

This regular feature recognizes the activities and honors received by ACC faculty and staff. To submit news or suggestions, see the contact information below.

Library Association leader nominee

Julie Todaro, dean of library services, is one of two candidates for the 2016-17 presidency of the American Library Association. Voting is March 24 – May 1, 2015.

An ALA member since 1972, Todaro is past president of the Association of College and Research Libraries and of the Texas Library Association (TLA). She has chaired the Texas Council of Academic Librarians and numerous committees including the Texas School Library Standards, Public Library Development, and Transforming Texas Libraries. The TLA has awarded her its Librarian of the Year and Lifetime Achievement honors. She also received the 2005 Austin Business Journal Profiles in Power award. She has been with ACC since 1985.

In print

English Adjunct Professor Donald Skrabanek has published “The Servant Girl Annihilators” (S&S Press, September 2014). The book chronicles the 1885 Austin servant girl murders that claimed the lives of at least five black women and girls, one black man, and two white women. The book discusses the subsequent trials and poses a possible answer to the mystery. Skrabanek has taught at ACC since 1978.

Dr. Duana Welch’s, book “Love Factually: 10 Proven Steps from I Wish to I Do,” will be released in January 2015. Visit the Love Factually website to read about the book or download its first chapter. Welch has taught at ACC since 2008.

Marla Dean, adjunct professor of drama, co-authored “Simple Machines” with Manuel Carreon (Slaughter House Press). The novel follows the path of Army Master Sergeant Joseph Cevera, a leader of a Special Operations unit in the Afghanistan war. Dean has taught at ACC since 2009.

Accounting “Rising Star”

Tracie Nobles

Tracie Nobles, associate professor of accounting, was named a 2014 “Rising Star” by the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. The Rising Stars program recognizes CPAs under 40 years old who have demonstrated innovative leadership and active involvement in TSPCPA, the accounting profession and/or their communities. Today’s CPA magazine recently featured the Rising Stars.

Sharing expertise

Anne Vance, associate professor of math, and Mike McCarthy, professor of math, will present “Look Before You Flip! Exploring Ways to Activate Students” at the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges conference in November. They have been with ACC since 2002 and 2005, respectively.

Associate Government Professor Roy Casagranda recently discussed the terrorist organization ISIS on KVUE-TV. View a video of the KVUE interview. Casagranda has taught at ACC since 2006.

Do you know a faculty or staff member who has accomplished something notable outside the classroom or in their community? We want to hear about them. Contact Jennifer Powers, [email protected].

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